Rain or Shine, Its Water Play Time

As Austin enters its third week of the Stay at Home – Work Safe Order, we miss hearing children and families play in our galleries. But we know that this mandate is essential to the health and safety of everyone in our community and we are committed to doing our part to support this effort.

While our museum doors may be closed to the public, for now, Thinkery continues to offer playful science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) learning online and aims to bring some of our gallery experiences to you – at home! This week we’ll recreate Currents – one of Thinkery’s most popular galleries – with a water play activity that your family can enjoy together in your kitchen, bathroom, or even outside.

In Currents, families explore concepts of fluid dynamics, discover connections between water, sound, and motion, and dive into other aquatic investigations. Children use spoons to make rhythm with drums while others use nets to catch water bugs. Families choose from funnels, cups, bowls, and toy boats to explore the water. Using hands-on materials allow children to take in new information through their senses (NAEYC 2018) and these props help children learn how to problem solve by manipulating water, which introduces higher-level thinking concepts like volume (NAEYC 2018), all while playing and splashing around.

Toddler playing drums at a water table in Currents.

In this Thinkery At Home activity, we invite you to explore these same STEAM concepts using simple props and tools you’re likely to find around the house. By using a variety of bowls, cups, and scoops, children will practice hand-eye coordination by pouring and transferring water, make observations of water in both liquid and solid forms, and use this open-ended exploration to push their creativity.

Toddler playing with water spraying from a fountain in Currents.

Just like when visiting Currents, you’re likely to get wet with this activity, so you may want to have a towel nearby or do this outside.